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Though others may have, you've probably never paid much attention to your nipples. But now that you're breastfeeding, they deserve a closer look. Why? Because the way your nipples are shaped can have a big impact on your breastfeeding success. Most nipples are shaped perfectly to fit a baby's mouth, but some women have flat or inverted nipples that might make nursing more challenging because baby has trouble getting a firm grasp. The result may be that he doesn't latch on properly and consequently doesn't get enough milk, and that can cause a decrease in milk production, which in turn can lead to even less suckling. Not to worry — with the right care and attention, even those with flat or inverted nipples can nurse just fine. Here's what you need to consider.

In This Series

How do I know if my nipples are flat or inverted?

It's as easy as one-two-squeeze. Simply place your fingers on the edge of the areola (the dark area surround the nipple) and compress it (lightly, please). If the nipple protrudes forward, you've got nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, your nipple retracts inward, you've got inverted nipples.

While most nipples bump out — even in a resting position — flat nipples are, you guessed it, flat. If you're not sure, your practitioner can do a quick exam and let you know the status. The good news is that the outward appearance of nipples in no way affects the production of breast milk or your ability to dispense it.

What can I do about my flat or inverted nipples?

Many practitioners say you don't need to do anything ahead of time since most flat and inverted nipples perform their job as well as any other nipples once breastfeeding begins. But some women do need a little help to get the job done. To the rescue: breast shells. These plastic wonders (available in most baby stores or through your lactation consultant) are worn over your nipples and apply painless pressure to gently and gradually draw them out. You can start using them before your baby is born but it's really not necessary — wearing them between feedings should be enough to draw the nipple out to an easily suckled position.

Do be aware that breast shells might cause sweating and rashes and can be pretty conspicuous (particularly if you're wearing a thin shirt). Another option is drawing out your nipples with a breast pump immediately before nursing (though don't pump more than a few times or else milk will start flowing — and not into baby's mouth where it belongs!). One more word of caution: Plastic devices (shields) designed to be worn during feedings to draw out the nipple are not recommended by lactation specialists because they can prevent your baby from grasping onto the nipple properly, setting up a longer-term problem of inadequate milk supply and demand.

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